Monday, December 13, 2010

I love babies. It's a fact. Their squishy legs, rosy cheeks, soft skin.... I love it all! Caden was certainly no exception, he was absolutely precious and was a perfect client! Actually, the whole family made my job pretty darn easy- I mean, look at them, they're gorgeous!

Thank you Alissa and Vic for choosing me to capture this special time in your lives! I had a blast with you guys and hope to see you again soon!!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. John 1:16

I have no words to fully communicate my feelings toward Amber and Brian and these photos. All I can say is, thank you both for trusting me to capture such a magical time in your lives. I can't wait to meet this precious blessing! We're grateful for your friendship, and we love all four of you!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

We have a new addition to my family! Sydnee Jewell was born October 18th and weighed in at 5lbs, 6oz. She made three little beans for my brother and I got to meet her October 30th. As you can see, we immediately fell in love....

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

It hadn’t been long since I had pulled in this driveway. The stork was gone though, now there were pumpkins on either side of the door, a gentle reminder of my favorite season – Autumn. George was outside, putting up the WV flag on his house even though his team Syracuse, was playing inside. George’s wife’s brother along with his wife and son, Noah, traveled to NC from their home state of WV for a weekend visit. My job was easy: get some shots of the families, and especially the new cousins, Noah and Aiden, together as a Christmas surprise for Grandma. I can’t wait to hear about her reaction to seeing these photos of the boys together (she thinks Christmas will be the first time they’re together!)!

Thank you all for choosing and trusting me to capture such a special gift! I hope you are thrilled with these memories!

P.S. For the record, I didn't intend on almost every single photo in this post to be black and white. After I had marked my absolute favorites though (out of almost 200) these were what I had chosen. Oh, how I love black and white. Hope you love them too!

Monday, November 1, 2010

I didn’t expect it. I have been a guest at a handful of weddings, maid of honor at one, and a bridesmaid in a few as well. Oh, and I’ve been the bride before too! I always cry during the vows, that moment when two become one in front of God, family, and friends. At Ginny and Woody’s wedding, I didn’t expect to cry. I had never met either of them, had no connection with anyone present, except for my friend Amber who asked me to second shoot for her.

I made it through the preparation just fine, all of the girls bouncing around with smiles and energy, champagne being passed out, makeup applications, hair dos, and even a tiny baby boy being awed over and loved on. I didn’t cry.

We made it to the house the wedding was being held at, Ginny quickly slipped her dress on, so quickly that we asked her to take it back off so Amber could get a few shots of it! She slipped it back on… still, I hadn’t cried.

A few moments with Woody and the guys for a few shots- definitely didn’t cry then, just laughed!

I watched behind the lens as the wedding party approached the ceremony site, two at a time, arm in arm. I watched Ginny being lead so sweetly by her father, and as a father reluctantly gave his baby girl away… still no tears.

I was doing good, no embarrassing sobbing or running makeup (think, “The Crow”) when it happened. It was time for the father/daughter dance. As most of you know, I don’t have a relationship with my father, so I’m always quite envious of a father adoring his daughter. It’s a struggle in my heart, and I am constantly reminding myself that my Father is God and I frequently close my eyes and envision His embrace. I weep behind the lens and hope no one sees…. And in that moment I am reminded again why I love this art of photography and why I’m grateful for the opportunity to witness such sweet exchanges of emotion.

That's a little story about my experience, but I'll let the photos tell the full story....

But first....Ginny and Woody, thank you for being open to Amber bringing me along. You both made me feel like I was a part of your day and I appreciate that more than you know! I hope you both had an amazing honeymoon and are blissfully enjoying each moment together now.

This wedding was last month and my friend Amber asked me to second shoot her first wedding with her. Of course, I was beyond excited and honored that she would ask me! It was a GREAT learning experience and really helped prepare me for the wedding Isaac and I are shooting next April. Thanks Amber for choosing me, and for trusting me to assist you with a milestone in both of our photography journeys, I appreciate it more than you know!